BOYS’ GANG
SERIES OF NAPIER BURGLARIES
MAGISTRATE ORDERS BIRCH
'NAPIER April 10. A number o' boys who have been responsible for a series of burglaries in Napier appeared at the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr A. M. Mowlem, S.M. There were 18 boys, whose ages ranged from, seven to 15 years, and they were called upon to answer a total of 56-charges consisting of theft, breaking and entering and theft, and attempted breaking and entering. . Tiie charges, all of which the boys admitted, ranged over a period of about a year and involved money and goods totalling £25. As the result of the boys’', admission a number of offences in Napier during the past 12 months have been cleared- up. Senior-Sergeant W. Pender said the boys were members of a gang known as “the skeleton bats,” with a recognised leader who had power to expel from the gang boys who did not obey orders. In one case, for instance, several, smaller beys in the gang had been ordered to rob an orchard, but had refused and had been expelled. In some of their escapades, said the
senior sergeant, the boys had actually risked their lives in gaining access to buildings through skylights and
windows. “I have found that in all but two cases the home conditions of the boys are excellent,” said Mr G., B. Young, child welfare officer.
The Magistrate: It is a strange thing that these, boys have good homes and yet become mixed up in these ‘Deadwood Dick” exploits, leaving other follows on guard outside while they commit the thefts.
Mr Young said the leader of the gang appeared to be of weak character, although his exploits of late seemed to indicate an ability for leadership. He had found some of the boys in possession of a great amount of literature of “Deadwood Dick” type which, he considered, had had an effect on their minds; to a certain degree. Some of the- boys, he considered, wanted a salutary lesson and he was of the opinion that if they were “touched up” by a constable it would do them good.
“I believe that besides those in I Court this morning there are another 150 boys in the town who have not been caught,” continued Mr Young. He considered the parents were entirely to blame, as it was apparent that there had not been sufficient influence displayed in their homes. Most of the boys bad enough brains, however, t 0 , know they,, were doing wrong. Senior-Sergeant Penderl would respectfully suggest to Your Worship, in addition to any other punishment which you may decide upon—especially in regard to the bigger boys —that they should receive at least six strokes of the birch. They should get more than a caution because., they would go away with, their tongues in their cheeks and treat the matter as a joke. I think corporal punishment is necessary to have any effect. . The Magistrate expressed the view that the literature produced in Court was not of a suitable nature for boys to have.
T shall certainly order that some of you shall, be birched by the police and by a big fellow, too,” he said.
Nine boys were ordered to receive six strokes .of the birch each. In addition 13 boys were placed under the supervision of the child welfare officer for a peroid of two years and one for one year, while the other four were admonished and discharged.
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Bibliographic details
Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1933, Page 8
Word Count
576BOYS’ GANG Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1933, Page 8
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